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Original poster

Is it possible for a non skiing family to go skiing..

43 replies

DialANumber · 26/12/2019 20:48

And enjoy it? And not need millions?

We've never been! But the dc have said they would happily not have a summer holiday this year if it mean being able to have a proper snowy winter trip.

It would be great to have a go at skiing but also would want there to be other winter fun and activities around.

Prob looking for winter next year or spring 2021 to help budget.

OP posts:
1busybee · 26/12/2019 20:48

How old are the children?

AdriannaP · 26/12/2019 20:51

Depends on their ages. If you go somewhere where they can also go sledging and ice skating, they might have fun. Most kids enjoy the snow for a few hours and then get cold.
You’d have to pay me to go on a skiing holiday (I grew up near a ski resort and went skiing every winter), it’s boring after day 3, cold and wet and so so expensive.

Serenschintte · 26/12/2019 20:51

Yes, definitely. Depending on the age of the kids. If you want a bit of both resorts like Les Gets are good or Serfaus in Austria.
If you can learn some of the basics before you go at dry ski slope or indoor ski place it’s not a bad idea. Then you are not starting from scratch. Make sure you get good insurance.

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General sports Holidays
Original poster
DialANumber · 26/12/2019 20:51

4, 8, 10

OP posts:
Ylvamoon · 26/12/2019 20:54

Yes... look for easy ski slopes and sledging - lots of fun for everyone.

Try and have a look, we went Black Forrest a few years ago. And it didn't break the bank!
www.skiresort.info/best-ski-resorts/black-forest-schwarzwald/

Ragwort · 26/12/2019 20:54

Are you generally sporty? I would think it could be quite tough if none of you have skied before. I grew up in a family that loved skiing, I hated it & didn’t really like any of the other activities (except hanging around the bars Grin). Now my DS & DH go skiing a lot, I have been with them a few times but it’s a pretty dull holiday if you don’t ski, they are currently away skiing, I am much happier home alone.

Ragwort · 26/12/2019 20:55

And forget to add, it can be a very expensive holiday.

managedmis · 26/12/2019 20:55

There are cheap deals to be had, especially Croatia and Bulgaria etc

Original poster
DialANumber · 26/12/2019 21:02

Fab thanks. Will have a look at those.

Yes, we're quite outdoorsy and sporty and have done family cycling holidays for eg. I wouldn't want it to be just skiing though, more an option with other snowy options.

OP posts:
Original poster
DialANumber · 26/12/2019 21:05

Is it better to try and book things separately or as a package?

Love the mixed reviews! Good to hear all viewpoints.

OP posts:
IM0GEN · 26/12/2019 21:05

So why don’t you go on a snow sports activity holiday somewhere like Finland? You could do snow shoeing, cross country skiing , sledging , dog sledding , see reindeer etc.

It sees mad to pay a fortune for a ski holiday and not ski. So much of the cost of the holiday is kit hire, lift passes, ski lessons etc

DickDewy · 26/12/2019 21:07

Seems a bit mad to not ski. Book all of you into ski school together.

Ylvamoon · 26/12/2019 21:14

We did book separate accommodation and car hire to get around & search for snow.

The black Forrest area is lovely and there are a few things you can do that is not skiing. But do your research and know what you need / want to do.

Original poster
DialANumber · 26/12/2019 21:18

That sounds cool Imogen, will look at that.

I do want to have a go at skiing but worry that that being all you do when you've never been before may be a bit much? So would like there to be other things to do too.

I'm a complete virgin, so really don't even know what I'm looking for so finding all comments helpful!

OP posts:
user1471468296 · 26/12/2019 21:22

I'm not sure there's much point in only doing a tiny bit of skiing. You probably need a week of lessons to get to the point of really enjoying it. A skiing holiday for beginners could be fine, but only if you actually commit to skiing!

BadSkiingMum · 26/12/2019 21:24

I have done a lot of skiing and my main tip would be for all of you to do a beginners’ course at a snowdome or dry slope before you invest in a holiday. Not everyone enjoys the sensation of skiing and it can be pretty expensive.

YearofMisAdventure · 26/12/2019 21:28

Ignore the naysayers. There is a possibility some of you will fall over a lot and be frustrated so some alternative days are good. You could do 3 days ski school. If they love it they could do more?

It is also quite physical. After my first day snow boarding, I was as stiff as an ironing board! I was 16 at the time so you'd think fit.

If you can, go to a snowdome before you go.

PandancerandRabbitoplh · 26/12/2019 21:32

DH is from a skiing family and I'm not. To keep costs down we have driven down at Easter to less known resorts in France and stayed at places that have pools.

I tried skiing but without lessons it's hopeless so you would need to book lessons which gets pricey.

Also been to Hintertux in Austria which has snow all year if just after snow, there is skiing but not beginners out of winter season. They have an ice palace, cable cars, in summer white water rafting. We flew to Innsbruck and hired a car.

DS and I have never skied before and tbh the skiing part wasn't great but mountain is nice and we swam and drank hot chocolate at top of the mountain. DD had lessons and enjoyed it.

Also been to Lapland in Finland - we didn't go skiiing there but you can and husky and reindeer rides and we saw brown bears in the wild too at Arola Bears but quite short overlap in when all those are available.

Khione · 26/12/2019 21:35

Definitely do it. And to get the most out of your holiday go to a snow dome or dry ski slope for a few lessons first so you don't waste too much time learning to stand up and doing tiny slopes.

Babybel90 · 26/12/2019 21:38

I think you need to go to a dry slope or indoor ski place in the UK first to try it out, the boots can be quite uncomfortable and restrictive and you’d be best off going into a week of skiing knowing the basics like snow plough and how to get on a ski lift first, and if any of you want to try snowboarding just standing up can be quite difficult.

chatongris · 26/12/2019 21:39

For adult beginners I highly recommend a few private one-to-one (or two) lessons to get you started. If you are reasonably sporty it shouldn't take long. My not especially sporty DH learnt to ski in his 40s with a handful of private lessons.

leckford · 26/12/2019 21:42

Two people I know had very serious skiing injuries in Bulgaria. The health care they received was rubbish and they had to get themselves, in pain, back to the U.K. it’s cheap for a reason. Austria is nice and so are the people

Minormiracle · 26/12/2019 21:44

I learnt to ski as an adult with a few private lessons so it's definitely possible. I'm not even particularly sporty or coordinated.

Can I recommend Sweden? Generally quite easy slopes, lots of other snow activities and if you go
to Salen there's a lovely tropical swimming / spa centre as well.

pollyputthepastaon · 26/12/2019 21:45

Look at snowbizz. They’re one of the most family friendly companies out there and will look after you well. The resort has a pool, huskies, sledging area, snowmobile rides but the main draw is the kids activities. Snow bizz arrange pancake parties, movie nights etc for the kids after skiing each day.

(Repeat customer here!)

TwigTheWonderKid · 26/12/2019 21:46

Would absolutely recommend Levi in Finland to you. Fabulously low key resort. Very family and beginner friendly slopes and then husky safaris, reindeers, ice village, fat biking, kick sledging, outdoor hot tubs and, if you are lucky, the Northen Lights.

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